DES MOINES, Iowa — Over 1 million people visited the Iowa State Fair over its 11-day run. Even though the fair ends Sunday, the work for many has just begun.
Many positions at the Iowa State Fair are held year-round. One of those being the commander of the Iowa State Fair Police Department.
Iowa State Fair Police Commander, Darin VanRyswyk, talked about the lost and found building at the fair. They take in anything from keys and phones to big stuffed animals and water bottles. After the fair ends, people have 30 days to claim their items. Once the 30-day window is up, items that can be donated make their way to various local charities.
Clinton Wallace, one of the operations managers at the fair, helps organize and clean the livestock barns on the fairgrounds. He said the cleanup starts immediately following the fair, as a horse show is coming in less than two weeks. He also said that while the Animal Learning Center is full of baby animals now, come next weekend, a wedding will take place in the same building.
Liz Ley is the offseason manager of the Iowa State Fairgrounds. She said that though the Iowa State Fair is the largest event that takes place on the grounds, they have many other events going on throughout the year.
A list of events for the final day of the fair can be found here. The 2026 Iowa State Fair is set to take place Aug. 13-23.
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